14 random things I love

February 14, 2017

Happy Valentine’s Day you darling friends! For as long as I can remember, with boyfriend or without, I have loved this holiday. I attribute it to my shameless affinity for anything romantic (the more cheesy and grandiose the better) and fun! And lets not forget about the universal pass to eat as much candy as you so desire on this day. Seriously… love, pinks, candy, flowers, I’m convinced there is everything to love about today.

I make it a point to dress up a little extra, throw on pink or red lipstick, eat a few sugary treats throughout the day and end it all by watching The Notebook in my coziest pajamas. I can guarantee the cowboy is counting his lucky stars he’s out in Wyoming today… he’s not a huge fan of The Notebook… yet! :)

In keeping with today’s spirit, I thought it might fun to break from the typical outfit post and do something a little different. In honor of February 14th, here are 14 random things I love! Simply scan the bullet points for a peek at how weird I am, or feel free to read my ramblings beneath each one. I hope it serves as a fun way to get to know a little more about me! And if you’re looking for something to lift your spirits today, try making your own “love list.” There’s something about dwelling on things you adore that puts you in the happiest mood!

1. jelly belly jelly beans

While it may not be the most widely acclaimed “favorite candy” (for reasons that are beyond me) let me just start off this list with an ode to the happiest confection out there. Favorite flavors? Pear and buttered popcorn!

2. my 1 Hotel candle

During our brief trip to New York City around Christmastime, my mother and I stayed at the most incredible spot… 1 Hotel Central Park. If you are visiting the big apple, merely taking a step into the lobby is worth the trip. The aroma, y’all… unlike anything I’ve ever experienced! We came home with two candles, and I live in fear of the day mine finally burns out.

3. antebellum fashion

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved the antebellum fashion era… think off the shoulder necklines, big, sweeping hoop skirts, ornate bonnets, the whole nine yards. Call me crazy, but I can’t get enough of it. During my freshman year at the University of Texas at Austin, my mom and I stopped into the popular “Lucy in Disguise” costume shop for fun. Thirty minutes later, we walked out with, you guessed it, a hoop skirt dress of my very own! Needless to say, I haven’t worn it once, but hope to somehow, someday! :)

4. going to sleep with wet hair

There’s nothing like crawling into bed after a crazy day with freshly clean, wet hair. I love how cooling it is in the summer, and how you get to fall asleep with that heavenly shampoo smell! The one part I don’t like about it? Waking up to a Hagrid-style head in the morning. Worth it, all the same.

5. wrangler jeans

One of my guy friends from North Carolina scoffed at me for preferring these over designer pairs… but I really do love the look of Wrangler jeans! There’s something so quintessentially Texan about them. Classic, low-maintenance, and a nice change from the skinny jean look some guys sport today. To each his own, but there’s something about a guy in Wranglers that I’ll always love!

6. hazelnut creamer

My absolute favorite part of the day? Mornings. And this is coming from a complete night owl through and through! But the joy I get from waking up to a cup of coffee with two hazelnut creamers (and the coffee must have two hazelnut creamers) can’t be recreated at any other time of the day. While I’ll settle for any brand as long as it’s hazelnut, my go-to is International Delight.

7. listening to Norah Jones while cooking

I vividly remember evenings when, when I was a child, my parents would play Norah Jones… and I hated it. So I have no idea what has made me do a complete 180 (perhaps it’s true… you do turn into your parents the older you get) but one of my favorite nighttime routines now is cooking while listening to her greatest hits. This is a hilariously embarrassing confession, but I’ll admit that something about the combination makes me feel so grown up and sophisticated. “Sunrise,” “Come Away With Me” and “Don’t Know Why I Didn’t Come” always end up on repeat!

8. buying books

Right or wrong, I’ve realized that when I get stressed or overwhelmed or sad, one of my favorite coping mechanisms is running to Barnes & Noble and buying a few books. Do I actually read all of them? If I’m being 100% honest, nope. (The word choice of “buying books” instead of “reading books” was intentional.) But there’s something about walking into that powdery, fresh scent of fresh books and walking out with an armful of knowledge that makes me feel all of a sudden at-peace.

9. Ikea & At Home

When it comes to home decor, this. girl. loves. a. bargain. Upon moving into my first apartment last May, I quickly realized that furniture is expensive. One of my favorite remedies quickly became trips to IKEA and At Home! Some people can’t stand stepping foot into these establishments (and I’ll admit, they can be overwhelming) but I absolutely love the treasure hunt each visit always turns into. I’ve found so many gems!

10. folk music

I realize this is not at all trendy. “Weird,” some might even say. (AKA all of my friends and most of my family.) But go listen to “When You Come Back Down” by Nickel Creek,”Build Me Up from Bones” by Sarah Jarosz and “Forget About It” by Allison Krauss on an evening drive, and then we’ll talk.

11. walking in heels

I’ll take your 4 inch heels and raise you 2. Seriously, this 5’2″ girl loves any extra height she can get. Walking in heels, however high and however painful, has always been fun to me. Truly! When I was little (before my mom let me wear heels) I would swear to myself that one day I’d wear flare jeans and pumps every. single. day. While I’m relieved to say that resolve has wavered (Lizzie McGuire Movie ensembles, however great, need to stay in the Lizzie McGuire Movie) the look hasn’t. Grass, rain, hills… you name it, I’ll take it on!

12. spin class

I know it must seem like I’ve gotten “spin-happy” on Instagram lately, and frankly that’s because I have! I’ll be the first to say (and my family and roommates can attest) that I was never the girl who loved working out. Quite the contrary… I’d avoid it at all costs. Why? Because I never had fun doing it. Torture was a more fitting word. But y’all… I LOVE spin class! The combination of rhythm and loud music and choreographed movements, not to mention the killer workout it is, have me hooked! I actually get bummed out when I don’t have a class lined up for the day. Weird, I know. All I can say is go try it!

13. wedding photos

We’ve already established the fact that I’m a hopeless romantic, right? Maybe that makes me seem less weird in confessing that I love going through wedding photos… even of people I don’t know…? Nope. That’s still freaking weird. But that’s something I can live with, because flipping through images of people on the loveliest, happiest day of their lives is just that – lovely and happy! There are a few wedding photographers I especially admire who always capture beautiful moments. Reading through their blog posts is one of my favorite procrastination and time-waisting tools.

14. baseball caps and pony tails

This all-American, timeless combination is one of my absolute favorites to wear. Not to mention, a great option for dirty hair days! It always manages to look so cute and sporty on the girls I see rocking it throughout the week. I always have my eyes peeled for a cute new one to add to my collection!

That wraps up my list of 14 random things I love, friends! It surprised me how much fun this was to put together, and like I mentioned above, I highly recommend doing it for yourself! You may be surprised at the little things you overlook every day that really do bring a bit of joy into your life.

Go off and have the best Valentines Day ever! You know you have a not-so-secret admirer in me!

This is such a sweet post, I love this idea! So funny that you like going to sleep with wet hair, I usually try to avoid it but I do love hat feeling in the summer! Also love wedding photos! Happy Valentin;’s Day Kate :)

I also love the juicy pear jellybeans! And growing up riding around with my dad, we would listen to Nickel Creek just because he loved “Smoothie Song” (the one without words haha) so much. Also a big fan of Norah Jones. Loved this post, Kate!

I have a new found love for spinning too! I tried soul cycle in uptown and had a great time but I’ve really loved Zyn22 classes and instructors (not to mention the pricing is a bit cheaper)! Definitely worth a try since the first class is free. Such a fun list for Valentine’s Day!

Oh my gosh, I just love this post because it made me realize how much we actually have in common! Build Me Up from Bones is one of my favorites (discovered it on the Country Coffeehouse playlist on Spotify). The Antebellum era and Wrangler’s are also two of my very favorite things, guess I’m just a lover of all things southern :)